The Cowboys’ maligned coach and quarterback still have a golden opportunity to lead the team to the playoffs after a 3-5 start. I still think the slumping Giants will win the NFC East, but the Cowboys have no excuse not to challenge for the division title or a wild-card spot.

The Giants (6-4), who have a bye this weekend, are reeling with a two-game losing streak. Meanwhile, the NFL schedule is smiling on the Cowboys (4-5). Dallas starts a three-game home stand Sunday against the Browns, the first of three straight home games for the Cowboys against teams with losing records.

After facing the Browns, the Cowboys host the Redskins on Thanksgiving and the Eagles on Dec. 2. If the Cowboys take care of business at home, they will be 7-5 before the Giants even take the field for a Monday night game at Washington on Dec. 3. Before that, the Giants have a tough home game against Green Bay on Nov. 25.

What the Cowboys do with this latest opportunity could have a huge impact on the direction of their franchise. If the Cowboys make the playoffs, forget about them replacing Garrett. Owner Jerry Jones obviously likes Garrett. Why would he make a change if the Cowboys make the postseason?

However, if the Cowboys miss the playoffs after another disappointing December, it will make Garrett’s position far more tenuous, and Romo’s reputation will take another hit as a quarterback who fails too often in clutch situations.

Romo, who has not thrown an interception in two straight games, vowed after Sunday’s victory in Philadelphia that he would not be a gun-shy quarterback down the stretch.

“You can’t play scared,” Romo said. “If you played to never turn the ball over, you’re not going to be as good as you could be. You’ll lose to the best teams. You gotta be able to let it go. You got to trust the people around you.”

Jones still trusts Garrett and Romo to lead the Cowboys to the playoffs. If Dallas sweeps the three-game home stand, Jones’ trust may pay dividends.

The Jets’ offense is a mess

The Mark Sanchez-Tim Tebow situation will continue to dominate headlines for the struggling Jets (3-6). But their offense needs a major overhaul. No breakaway running back. Not enough playmaking receivers. Not good enough pass protection from the offensive line.

These issues were obvious as far back as training camp, even before Santonio Holmes was hurt or before Sanchez or Tebow ever took a snap from center. Long term, the Jets could be in trouble. I asked ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper on a conference call if the Jets could find a better quarterback than Sanchez in the 2013 draft. Not only does Kiper not have a quarterback ranked among his top 10 draft prospects, he sees major weaknesses when he looks at the Jets’ offense.

“If you can put Andrew Luck on this Jets’ team, it isn’t going to be easy,” Kiper said. “You can put RG3 on this Jets team, (and it) wouldn’t be easy. The quarterback needs help, and you’re not getting it with the Jets.

“The Jets have other dilemmas than quarterback—that’s the problem. You’ve got a quarterback that doesn’t have any big-time receivers to throw to. You got no big-time running back. They have issues around the quarterback that have to be addressed before you can evaluate the quarterback accurately.”

Sounds like Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum has plenty of work to do. That is, if owner Woody Johnson sticks with Tannenbaum after the season. The way the Jets look right now, that may not happen. And the reluctance to use Tebow more, even with Sanchez struggling, continues to puzzle many.

“I don’t why they brought Tebow in,” Kiper said. “I would’ve thought they would’ve gone to him several weeks ago. Opted not to. Doesn’t seem like they’re going to go to him moving forward. My question is: Why did you even bring him in? If you’re not going to use him now, and see what he can do, you’re never going to use him.

“It seems like that was much to do about nothing. I don’t know who made that call. I don’t know if it was the owner pushing it on the GM and the coach. But it seemed to me if you’re going to bring in Tim Tebow, you put (him) out on the field by now.”

Through nine games, the Jets’ offense has been both puzzling and disappointing. That is not a good combination. This season is slipping away. And there is no quick fix in sight.

The need for neurologists

Week 10 reinforced why the NFL needs to have independent concussion specialists on the sidelines.

Jay Cutler (concussion). Alex Smith (concussion). Michael Vick (concussion). The quarterback position took a major hit last weekend, with Ben Roethlisberger (shoulder) also going down on Monday night. It was further evidence that despite all the rules designed to protect quarterbacks, playing the position is still hazardous to one’s health.

When you hear that Smith completed a touchdown pass while playing with blurred vision (before leaving the game), it has to be a concern. Sporting News recently conducted a poll in which 56 percent of players surveyed said they would hide concussion systems to stay on the field. Even if having an independent neurologist on the sideline prevents just one player from potentially suffering further damage, the investment is worth it.

AFC already settled?

It looks like the six AFC playoff berths have already been determined. Sure, the Steelers are vulnerable if Roethlisberger misses an extended period. But I think the Texans, Ravens, Patriots and Broncos will be your AFC division winners, with the Steelers and Colts as your wild cards.

Everyone else in the AFC has a losing record. And I don’t see any of those teams making a run good enough to make playoffs.

You like the Bengals (4-5)? They play the Steelers in Week 16 and Ravens in Week 17. Until the Bengals prove they can beat those teams when it matters, I can’t get on the Cincinnati bandwagon.

Can’t trust the Chargers (4-5) either. In fact, stick a fork in them if the Broncos beat San Diego on Sunday.

The Titans (4-6) have given up the most points in the NFL. Not playoff worthy.

Let’s not even talk about the AFC teams with three wins or less making the playoffs. Yes, the NFL has plenty of parity. But with seven weeks left in the regular season, the AFC playoff picture does not look difficult to predict.

Still a big game

Andrew Luck and the Colts (6-3) are the feel-good story of the season so far. They play at New England (6-3) on Sunday, which will give Tom Brady his first up-close look at Luck.

For years, playing the Colts for Brady meant renewing his competition with Peyton Manning. Now Luck is the new leader of the Colts, and so far no stage looks too big for him.

Don’t expect the sight of Brady on the opposite sideline to be too big for Luck, either. Win or lose Sunday, I’ll be surprised if Luck does not have another strong game against the Patriots’ defense.